Apple was accused of illegally monitoring employees’ devices and limiting free speech

Apple Inc. (AAPL.O) is facing a new lawsuit alleging it unlawfully monitors employees’ devices and iCloud accounts while imposing strict confidentiality policies restricting their ability to discuss pay, working conditions, and whistleblowing on unethical practices.

The lawsuit, filed in California state court on Sunday, was brought by Amar Bhakta, a digital advertising employee who has worked for Apple since 2020. Bhakta claims that Apple mandates employees to install software on their devices, which gives the company access to sensitive data such as emails, photos, health information, and “smart home” data. This, he argues, constitutes an invasion of privacy and an illegal surveillance practice.

In addition to the alleged monitoring, Bhakta asserts that Apple enforces confidentiality policies prohibiting employees from speaking publicly about their working conditions. The lawsuit contends that these policies prevent employees from discussing wages, benefits, and other workplace matters, including with the media. Furthermore, Bhakta claims Apple obstructs legally protected whistleblowing activities by discouraging employees from reporting workplace issues.

The legal complaint includes allegations that Bhakta was instructed to remove references to his working conditions from his LinkedIn profile and was prohibited from discussing his podcast work. Bhakta claims this is part of a broader effort by Apple to suppress employee speech and prevent any dissent related to its corporate practices.

“Apple’s surveillance policies and practices chill, and thus also unlawfully restrain, employee whistleblowing, competition, freedom of employee movement in the job market, and freedom of speech,” the lawsuit states.